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The 37-year-old probation officer took first place in his age category at the World's Toughest Mudder Race in the U.S. on Nov. 17.

The event is a gruelling test of endurance and physical and mental toughness. Designed by the British Special Forces, Tough Mudder events are 10-12 mile obstacle courses. It is touted as the toughest event on the planet.

The idea is to get through 40 obstacles as many times as possible in a 24-hour period. The obstacles resemble military boot camp activities -- icy water swims, dodging open electrical wires, climbing 12-foot walls - all designed to test body and mind to the max. Competitors must be in superb shape; particularly in cardiovascular health.

"You had to swim under the wooden barrier and come

"It's not for the faint of heart," Mr. Valleau laughed.

The Lindsay resident said he completed six laps (about 60 miles) to win in his age category.

"My goal was four laps," he said in an interview on Nov. 23. "I didn't think I'd make six. I did, but by the end I was disoriented, my toes had frostbite and I was talking to myself. The body isn't meant to run for that long."

Mr. Valleau said he couldn't pass up the challenge after trying his hand at marathons, boxing, strongman competitions - anything that tests his endurance.

"I love a challenge...and I never, ever quit," he says.

He was the second Canadian to finish in this month's event, after qualifying in Barrie last August against 17,000 participants. He started training in April, and said there were 1,800 contestants in New Jersey. It was the first time he tried a Mudder, and now stands 26th in the world.

Mr. Valleau said he found the ice water swim and the electronic wire obstacles tough.

"You had to swim under the wooden barrier and come up on the other side of the tank," he explained. "The water was full of floating chunks of ice."

For the electric obstacle, live wires delivered a shock when they touched exposed skin. He also found the net obstacle a challenge.

"The net is almost glued down; it's really hard to lift. But, you have to lift it and crawl underneath."

He said one thing that hurt his performance was refueling inefficiently.

"Everyone has their own tent. After each lap, you're allowed to go to your tent for food. I should have organized my food better."

To date, the Tough Mudder series has raised almost $4 million for the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps those injured in military service.

Mr. Valleau said sponsors helped him raise the $2,500 to compete, and family and friends helped him at the event. He had his children's (Kalanie, Leah and Chayton) names embroidered on his suit. "I can't thank them enough for all the support," he said.

Best of all, Mr. Valleau said is the sense of accomplishment from taking on a course designed by one of the world's most elite military units. He hopes he can inspire his young clients, in whom he sees such potential.

"I try to be a role model for them, something positive. When I try anything like this, the kids think it's great; they see the pictures and they get all excited. I hope it inspires them to see they could do it, too."